Life Under Grace

November 5

"Run, John, run the Law commands,

But gives me neither feet nor hands;

Far better news the gospel brings:

It bids me fly; it gives me wings."

John Bunyan (Author of "Pilgrim's Progress")

I have been studying Romans 7 today. Paul is describing the Law as a husband, and the wife is like those living in Adam. Living in Adam means we are sinners living under the Law. The Law cannot justify us, but it can sanctify us. The Law points out our sin. Paul says he would not have known coveting was a sin if not for the Law.

When Christ died on the cross for our sin, we died with Him. Since we died, we are no longer married to the Law; we can be legally married to Grace. When I became a believer and put my trust in Christ, God raised me up as a new person with Christ in his resurrection. I now live under Grace. I no longer need to try to live under the Law to save myself.

Living this Life under Grace, I have the mind of Christ; the Law is written on my heart. My focus is on Christ, and therefore, I become more like Him. If I go back and try to live under the Written Law, I will try to use the Law to stop the temptations. This way of living never works. When I focus on the Law and sin, I get more sin. When I focus on Jesus and Grace, I become more like Jesus, and fruits of the Holy Spirit grow in me.